Healthy oceans support a healthy planet.
National Marine Week is a time for us to think about the life living under the water and around the coast of UK.
In 2026, National Marine Week takes place between 25 July and 9 August. Its official theme is “Incredible Journeys.” The celebration is going to last for 16 days because tide times vary around the coast of United Kingdom. The longer period gives more people a chance to attend these events when the tides are suitable.
Families can visit the coast or join a campaign to clean beaches. There is another way to mark this occasion.
Give someone a book.
A book can introduce children to sea creatures. It can help a young reader understand plastic pollution and also give them a moment with nature and poetry.
Here are ten books from Austin Macauley Publishers that can make National Marine Week more special.
National Marine Week 2026 at a Glance
|
Topic |
Details |
|
Dates |
25 July to 9 August 2026 |
|
Official theme |
Incredible Journeys |
|
Length |
16 days |
|
Main focus |
Marine wildlife and coastal habitats |
Why Protecting Marine Wildlife Matters...
Marine wildlife in the United Kingdom includes seals, dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks and many smaller animals. Rockpools also serve as a home for crabs, starfish and sea anemones.
These animals depend on healthy habitats.
Plastic waste can trap marine animals or be mistaken for food. Oils and chemicals poured down household sinks can also reach waterways. Many Trusts encourage people to reduce single-use plastic, choose responsibly sourced seafood and take care of their household waste properly.
Marine conservation can feel like a large subject for a child. Stories make it easier to understand.
Books give marine wildlife a face, a voice and a story.
How Families Can Celebrate National Marine Week
Families do not need a long holiday beside the sea. One simple activity can make the week feel special.
You could:
Attend a Wildlife Trust event.
Visit a rockpool at low tide.
Watch for dolphins or seabirds from the shore.
Join an organised beach cleaning campaign.
Count the single-use plastic used at home.
Read an ocean-themed book together.
Gift an ocean-themed book to a child, friend or family member.
Wildlife Trusts that are present across the country list activities such as rockpool sessions, beach cleans and wildlife watches during National Marine Week. Families should check event times and booking details before travelling.
|
Reader |
Book gift to consider |
|
Young animal lover |
A picture book about dolphins, sharks or penguins |
|
Child interested in the environment |
A story about plastic pollution |
|
Fantasy reader |
A mermaid or magical coastal adventure |
|
Older nature reader |
Poetry inspired by oceans and landscapes |
|
Sailing enthusiast |
A real account of small-boat ocean travel |
|
School or library |
A book that supports environmental lessons |
The right book depends on the person receiving it. The gift should match their interests and reading level.
10 Books About Oceans and Marine Life to Gift
The following titles cover sea creatures, friendship, pollution, poetry and sailing.[Text Wrapping Break] They are featured one after the other, so readers can choose the book that best suits the person they are thinking about.
1. Ocean Commotion! by Kathryn Atkinson
A pod of dolphins finds a large amount of plastic waste floating in the sea. Angry at what humans have done, the dolphins carry the rubbish back to shore and block the port. Their protest forces people to face the damage caused by ocean pollution.
A good gift for: A young animal lover who is learning about plastic waste and ocean.
2. Ocean Times by Anita Mulvey
Alexander and Lily hope for a holiday abroad after the first Covid-19 lockdown. But a costly car repair changes the family’s plans, so they travel to remote Brampton Sands. Their staycation brings new friendships and a lot of family moments back.
A good gift for: A young reader who likes coastal holidays, family stories and adventures.
3. The Rock, Into the Ocean and the African Penguin by Glenda McLean
Glenda McLean shares short wildlife stories based on her own experiences in Africa and at sea. The book introduces children to animals they may never see in the wild.[Text Wrapping Break] It encourages them to value nature and care for the planet.
A good gift for: A child who loves wildlife facts and wants to learn about animals beyond the country.
4. The Humble Hermit by Jack Craib Smith
A hermit crab faces predators as he tries to survive in the ocean. He must also find larger discarded shells as his body grows. His trip to the beach shows how human activity can affect even the smallest marine animals.
A good gift for: A child who enjoys funny animal stories with an environmental message.
5. Toby by Kathy Gilfillan
Toby is a young basking shark living in the Atlantic Ocean near Ireland. He feels restless and wants to see more of the sea and this trip introduces him to colourful marine creatures and a much wider underwater world.
A good gift for: A young reader interested in sharks, sea animals and the 2026 “Incredible Journeys” theme.
6. Tramontana by Grace ShriRam
Tramontana is a poetry collection about love and personal growth. Oceans, mountains and trees appear throughout the poems as signs of resilience and renewal.[Text Wrapping Break] This collection gives readers time to pause and think about nature and what we are doing to it.
A good gift for: An adult reader who enjoys nature poetry and quiet, reflective writing.
7. Mermaids on the Rock and the Fishermen’s Net by Mandy Aaron
The mermaid sisters cannot stop thinking about the world above the sea. They make a secret plan to see it again, even though they have been warned to stay away.[Text Wrapping Break] Their adventure soon places them in far more danger than they expected.
A good gift for: A child who loves stories about mermaids, oceans and deepwater threats.
8. Popper Penguin and Willow Whale by Chloe Hawes
Popper Penguin and Willow Whale are close friends, but the words of others begin to damage their bond. They face sadness and a lot of pressure during their sea adventures.[Text Wrapping Break] The story encourages kindness, equality and trust between friends.
A good gift for: A young reader learning about friendship, individuality and the effect words can have.
9. Jester Challenge and Beyond by Basil Panakis
At the age of 73, Basil Panakis takes part in long solo sailing trips on a boat that was under 30 feet. He explains how he chose the boat and while managing the costs...prepared it for the ocean.[Text Wrapping Break] His account includes practical details and the support shared between fellow sailors.
A good gift for: An adult who enjoys sailing, real-life adventures or stories about achieving a long-held goal.
10. Plastic by Denise Graham
Plastic helps children understand how plastic waste reaches the sea and harms marine animals. It explains that animals may mistake plastic for food. The book also encourages young readers to think about actions that they can take to keep rivers and oceans cleaner.
A good gift for: A child who asks questions about pollution and wants to know how they can help.
Make the Book Gift Feel More Personal
A book does not need expensive wrapping or a large gift box. One small addition can make it feel special.
|
Gift idea |
What to do |
|
Write a personal message |
Add a short note explaining why you chose the book. |
|
Make a sea-themed bookmark |
Use card already available at home and draw a favourite marine animal. |
|
Add a reading activity |
Include a question or small task linked to the story. |
|
Plan a reading evening |
Read the book together after dinner. |
|
Give a copy to a school |
Ask a local school or library if it accepts book donations. |
|
Use reusable wrapping |
Wrap the book in fabric, a reusable gift bag or paper already at home. |
A message inside the cover could say:
There are also a lot of educational activities to do this National Marine Week and we are adding it in the table...Enjoy Your Week!
|
Book |
Activity |
|
Ocean Commotion! |
Count the single-use plastic items used at home during one day. |
|
Ocean Times |
Plan a low-cost family trip close to home. |
|
The Rock, Into the Ocean and the African Penguin |
Make a fact card about the African penguin. |
|
The Humble Hermit |
Draw three safe homes a growing hermit crab could use. |
|
Toby |
Find Ireland and the Atlantic Ocean on a map. |
|
Tramontana |
Write four lines about the sea, wind or a natural place. |
|
Mermaids on the Rock and the Fishermen’s Net |
Make a poster about keeping fishing waste out of the sea. |
|
Popper Penguin and Willow Whale |
Write three ways a good friend can show kindness. |
|
Jester Challenge and Beyond |
Prepare a basic list of supplies needed for a long sailing trip. |
|
Plastic |
Choose one disposable plastic item that could be replaced or reused. |
These ocean awareness activities can be done at home, in school or during a library reading session. Adults should keep the discussion calm. Children need honest information, but they should not feel responsible for solving every environmental problem.
The goal is to help them care and take one sensible action.
Make National Marine Week More Special with a Book
National Marine Week can be marked with a coastal walk, a wildlife event or a family pledge.[Text Wrapping Break] A book adds something personal to the occasion.
Choose a title that suits the reader. Write a short message inside. Pair the book with one simple activity.
Each book offers a different connection with the ocean.
A good book can keep the message of National Marine Week alive long after the celebration has ended. It is a gift for the reader and a reminder that healthy oceans help support a healthy planet.
We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience and for marketing purposes.
By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies
.png "Ready to Dive Into A Challenge This Summer?")
Discover